Food Day events being planned nationwide

WASHINGTON, Sept. 25 (UPI) -- Organizers of Food Day, a celebration of healthy, sustainable and affordable food, said this year's event Oct. 20 might top the 2,300 events held last year.

The Center for Science in the Public Interest, the non-profit group in Washington, said it is providing national coordination for Food Day and convening a conference on the future of food, which will be held at the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center.

Rep. Chellie Pingree, D-Maine, will host the Future of Food conference that asks leaders from nutrition, agriculture and economics to forecast what the food system might look like by the year 2050.

"The celebratory aspect of Food Day will help bring people in, but we want people to go away from Food Day events inspired about how they can change their diets for the better or how they can organize to solve food-related problems in their communities," Michael F. Jacobson, executive director of the CSPI, says in a statement. "It's a great opportunity for legislators, mayors, health departments, and governors to announce new initiatives increasing citizens' access to healthy, affordable food."

For example, in Massachusetts, more than 200 school nutrition directors in 45 school districts are committed to participate in Food Day and will challenge students to "Eat Real." Several mayors intend to participate in Food Day events, as are Gov. Deval Patrick and Food Day advisory board member Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass., Jacobson said.